Cancellation sets up special showdown
Liberty's COVID-19 issues lead to BYU-Coastal Carolina contest
No. 13 BYU(9-0) at
No. 18CoastalCarolina (9-0)
5:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPNU
BYUofficials have said for quite some time the team is willing to play anyone, any time, any place. True to their word, the Cougars are traveling to South Carolina to take on Coastal Carolina in a matchup of undefeated teams made possible when the Chanticleers’ original opponent for Saturday, Liberty, had to cancel the game because ofCOVID-19 issues in its program. The College Football Playoff selection committee has knocked BYU for a weak schedule, but a win over Coastal Carolina coulddoa lot topushtheCougarsback into the playoff discussion.
No. 4 Ohio State (4-0, 4-0 Big Ten) at Michigan State (2-3, 2-3)
Noon Saturday, ABC
Ohio State continues its push for a Big Ten championship, but things haven’t been easy for the Buckeyes, who have coped with a rise in COVID-19 cases in the program. One of those impacted is coach Ryan Day, who will miss this week’s game against the Spartans as he self-quarantine in Columbus. Michigan State knocked off previously undefeated Northwestern and can throw a wrench into Ohio State’s playoff semifinal plans with a win.
No. 6 Florida (7-1, 7-1 SEC) at Tennessee (2-5, 2-5)
3:30 p.m. Saturday, CBS
Florida can wrap up the SEC East with a win over Tennessee, sending the Gators to their first SEC title game since 2016. QB Kyle Trask leads the league in passing yards (2,810) and passing TDs (34), but he faces aVolunteers defense that has allowed just eight TD passes this season and only one 300-yard passer (Alabama’s Mac Jones, 417 yards).
No. 12 Indiana (5-1, 5-1 Big Ten) at No. 16Wisconsin (2-1, 2-1)
3:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC
Indiana’s path to the Big Ten championship opened up a bit with the news that Ohio State may not meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for the title game due to COVID-19 game cancellations. The Hoosiers still have some work ahead of them and must do it without starting QB Michael Penix Jr., who suffered a season-ending injury lastweek.
No. 1 Alabama(8-0, 8-0 SEC) at LSU(3-4, 3-4)
8 p.m. Saturday, CBS
These twowere set to play onNov. 14, but COVID-19 concerns within the LSU programpromptedtheSECto reschedule the contest. Alabama is looking to wrap up its sixth SECWest title in the past nine seasons. The Crimson Tide, who saw their eight-game win streak over the Tigers snapped last season, feature the top scoring offense in the SEC and a Heisman-caliberQB inMac Jones.